Controlling that Carotid Artery

Controlling that Carotid Artery

by Dr. Daniel J. Murphy D.C., D.A.B.C.O.

 

KEY POINTS FROM DR. DAN MURPHY

1. Intima-media thickness is a measure of arterial atherosclerotic stenosis. In patients with severe carotid artery stenosis, consumption of 3 oz. of pomegranate juice reduced intima-media thickness as follows:

3 months 13%

6 months 22%

9 months 26%

12 months 35%

2. In contrast, the control group that did not consume pomegranate juice, carotid intima-media thickness increased by 9% during one year.

3. Serum total antioxidant status was increased by 130% after one year of pomegranate juice consumption.

4. Systolic blood pressure was reduced after one year of pomegranate juice consumption by 21%.

5. Oxidative stress is a major contributor to cardiovascular diseases. “Oxidized low density lipoprotein is linked to atherosclerosis.” Pomegranate juice “possesses impressive antioxidative properties due to its polyphenolics, tannins and anthocyanins.”

6. Pomegranate juice “administration to the patients substantially reduced their serum oxidative status and could, thus, inhibit serum lipid peroxidation.”

7. “Pomegranate juice consumption resulted in a significant reduction in the levels of LDL associated lipid peroxides by up to 90% after six months.”

8. “A substantial increase in the lesion glutathione (GSH) content, by 2.5-fold, was observed after pomegranate juice consumption for three or twelve months.”

9. “The present study clearly demonstrates for the first time that pomegranate juice consumption by patients with carotid artery stenosis possesses anti-atherosclerotic properties, as it significantly reduced common carotid intima-media thickness in association with a decrement in systolic blood pressure, and a substantial inhibition of lipids peroxidation in serum and in LDL.”

10. “Pomegranate juice was used in our study as the antioxidant of choice, as it is very rich in polyphenols and demonstrates high capability to scavenge free radicals and to inhibit LDL oxidation in vitro and in vivo.”

11. “A reduction in oxidative stress was demonstrated already after one month of pomegranate consumption, (though it was much more pronounced with duration of pomegranate consumption).”

12. Substantial inhibitory effects of pomegranate consumption on carotid atherosclerosis were demonstrated after nine to twelve months.

13. “The ability of pomegranate juice to inhibit LDL oxidation could be related to the high potency of pomegranate juice major polyphenols (tannins and anthocyanins) to scavenge free radicals.”

14. “Pomegranate juice contains very potent anti-oxidants.”

15. Another anti-atherogenic effect of pomegranate juice consumption that leads to decreased intima-media thickness is its blood pressure lowering effect.

16. “In humans, pomegranate juice consumption (by patients with carotid artery stenosis) possess anti-atherosclerotic properties, as it substantially decreased serum oxidative stress and, in parallel, reduced common carotid intima-media thickness.”

17. The results of the present study, thus, suggest that pomegranate juice consumption by patients with carotid artery stenosis decreases carotid intima-media thickness and systolic blood pressure and these effects could be related to the potent antioxidant characteristics of pomegranate juice polyphenols.

 

COMMENT FROM DAN MURPHY: Our family, and many friends, colleagues, and patients consume a daily nutrient shake. The juice we use in the shake is pomegranate juice.


Dr. Dan Murphy graduated magna cum laude from Western States Chiropractic College in 1978. He received Diplomat status in Chiropractic Orthopedics in 1986. Since 1982, Dr. Murphy has served part-time as undergraduate faculty at Life Chiropractic College West, currently teaching classes to seniors in the management of spinal disorders. He has taught more than 2000 postgraduate continuing education seminars. Dr. Murphy is a contributing author to both editions of the book Motor Vehicle Collision Injuries and to the book Pediatric Chiropractic. Hundreds of detailed Article Reviews, pertinent to chiropractors and their patients, are available at Dr. Murphy’s web page, www.danmurphydc.com

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